Part One: In Love of our Master, the Messenger of Allah Messenger Part Two: Restraint from Lust and Carnal Desires

Part Three: Praise of the Messenger of Allah

Part Four: The Birth of the Messenger of Allah

Part Five: The Blessings of the Messenger of Allah’s Invitation to Islam Part Six: The Glory of the Qur’an

Part Seven: The Night Ascent of the Messenger of Allah through the Heavens

Part Eight: The Jihad of the Messenger of Allah Part Nine: The Forgiveness of Allah through the Intercession of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad

Part Ten: Seeking Salvation and the Requisition of Necessities

Introduction

Such is the greatness of our beloved Prophet Muhammad that Allah, the Mighty, the Glorified bears witness to his exalted position in the Holy Qur’an saying:

Allah and His angels praise and venerate the Prophet.

Believers, praise and venerate him

and pronounce peace upon him in abundance.

Those who (try to) hurt Allah and His Messenger

shall be cursed by Allah in this present life

and in the Everlasting Life,

and He has prepared for them a humbling punishment.” 33:56-57

Imam Salih Al Busairi spent many years of his life in the courts of Mameluke princes writing poetry in praise of Prophet Muhammad and also poetry about its princes. When the Imam was struck with paralysis the services of the best doctors and surgeons in the land were called upon, but his condition was so chronic that they sadly diagnosed his condition as being totally incurably.

Imam Al-Busairi had written a special, personal poem in praise of the Prophet that no one knew about and it was in this state of complete helplessness and surrender that the Imam was prompted to recite his poem, “The Poem of the Cloak” and with it ask Allah to cure him from his paralysis. The poem is that of a lover for his dearly beloved in which he begins by shyly and tenderly alluding to the Prophet without mentioning him by name but through mention of places and objects closely connected to the Prophet in Medina.

It was on a Thursday night that the Imam, shut away in a quite place, began to recite his poem of devotion to the Prophet however, during his recitation he was overcome by sleep. As he slept he saw a very blessed vision in which Prophet Muhammad came to him. He told him of his illness whereupon the Prophet passed his blessed hand over the Imam’s body and placed a cloak over his paralysed limbs. Through the blessings and supplications of the Prophet , Allah recovered Imam Al-Busairi. When he awoke he found the cloak he had seen the Prophet place over his paralysed limbs remained and Al Hamdulillah, he was no longer paralysed, and because of this he named his poem “Qasidah Burdah”, “The Poem of the Cloak.”

In the morning he went to the bazaar and was greeted with peace by a pious, sufi dervish who requested him to recite the poem he had composed in praise of Prophet Muhammad .Imam Al Busairi asked which one he wished to hear as he had composed many poems. The sufi replied, “The one that begins with the words Amin Tazak-kurin” which are the opening words of “The Poem of the Cloak”. Imam Al-Busairi was amazed and said, “I swear that no one knows about this poem. Tell me the truth, how did you know about it and from whom did you hear it?” The sufi replied, “I swear by Allah that I heard you recite it last night as you recited it to the Messenger of Allah and through his blessings, Allah granted you complete recovery.”

Imam Al-Busairi recited the poem to the sufi and gave it to him and his secret was no longer a secret and became known by all, together with its blessings.

When the poem reached the ears of the Baha-ud-deen, the governor of Tahir,he was so moved and regarded it so highly that he would, out of honor and love for Prophet Muhammad ,stand whilst listening to its recitation. In Baha-ud-deen’s court there was a blind man by the name of Sa'aadud-deen Farouqi. One night he had a vision in which he saw a pious sufi who told him to go to Baha-ud-deen and ask him for the poem and then place it over his eyes. The following morning he went to the governor and told him of his vision whereupon the poem was brought, and with complete sincerity and conviction Sa’aadud-deen Farouqi placed it over his eyes, and through its blessings Allah restored his sight. Al Hamdulillah!

The Virtues and Specialities of “Qasidah Burdah” - “The Poem of the Cloak”

The virtues and blessings of Qasidah Burdah are innumerable and have been attested in many references. The following are but a sampling of these blessings and virtues experienced through its recitation.

7.Whosoever recites this poem daily, or has someone else recite it for him,and thereafter blows on him, will be safeguarded from all hardships.

8.Whosoever recites the poem once a day then blows on his children, the children will be blessed with long life.

9.Whosoever recites the poem 17 times on a Thursday evening for 7 weeks will become pious and wealthy.

10. Whosoever recites the poem in his bedroom for any work or special purpose, that purpose will be shown to him in a dream.

11. Whosoever recites the poem 41 times in an old cemetery for 40 days, his enemies will be destroyed.

12. Whosoever reads the poem once a day over rosewater for 7 days and then gives it to someone to drink, the memory of that person will increase tremendously.

13. Whosoever is afflicted with a great calamity or hardship, should fast for 3 days and recite the poem 21 times each day during the fast.

14. Whosoever writes the poem with musk and saffron, then hangs it around his neck will be safeguarded from seventy afflictions and difficulties.

15. The house in which the poem is read 3 times daily, will be protected from most hardships.

16. If a person has important work, he should recite the poem 26 times on the night of Jumah (Thursday evening) and give 26 things in charity.

17. The house in which this poem is kept, will be safe-guarded from thieves, etc.

18. Whosoever recites the poem 7000 times in his lifetime, will live up to the age of one hundred years.

19. Whosoever recites the poem over rosewater and sprinkles it over his clothes, will become respected and loved by the creation of Allah Ta'alaa.

20. Whosoever recites the poem once a day while on a journey will be protected from all the hardships of the journey.

21. Whosoever is in debt should recite the poem 1000 times.

22. If someone reads the poem 41 times, or has someone else read it for him, on the night of Jumah (that is Thursday evening), for a certain aim or purpose, his aim or purpose will be fulfilled.

23. The house in which this poem is read regularly will be saved from seven things:

i.From the evil of Jinn.

ii.From plague and epidemics.

iii.From smallpox.

iv.From diseases of the eyes.

v.From misfortune.

vi.From insanity.

vii.From sudden death.

24. The inhabitants of a house in which this poem is read daily will be gifted with seven benefits:

i.Long life.

ii.Abundance in sustenance.

iii.Good health.

iv.Help (from Allah).

v.One will see the Light of our Master Muhammad

vi.Wealth.

vii.Happiness and contentment.

25. Whosoever wishes to know whether benefit or harm will be derived from a journey should, after having recited the prayer on the Prophet 1000 times, recite this poem 3 times. Thereafter the Prophet will appear in a vision and inform whether or not the journey is beneficial or harmful.

Whosoever wishes to know the condition of a traveller, should recite the poem 3 times on a Thursday night together with the prayer on the Prophet .

27. To remove the evil affects of jinn, read once the poem daily for 40 days and then (blow) on the effected person.

When a baby is born and this poem is recited 9 times over sea water, and thereafter the baby is bathed in the water, the baby will be saved from all types of calamities.

During child-birth, labor pains will be eased immediately if the poem is read 3 times over rose water and then blown on. The rose water should be mixed with ordinary water and drunk. Place a little on the belly and ease will, inshaAllah, be experienced immediately.

Whosoever recites the poem once after embarking on a ship and passes through a severe storm, will be safeguarded.

Whosoever is imprisoned, should recite the poem continuously and he will be freed.

If land is infertile, recite this poem then blow on the seeds and plant them, inshaAllah abundant crops will be produced.

If farmlands are infested or plagued by locusts, recite the poem 7 times on sand and sprinkle it over the land. Wherever the sand falls, that land will not be infested again.

In conclusion it has been found that for whatever purpose "Qasidah Burdah" is read, InshaAllah that purpose will be fulfilled, with the precondition that ones earnings and food are halaal. One also eats less, sleeps less and talks less. May Allah, the Mighty, the Glorified through His infinite Grace and Mercy accept this humble effort and grant us death with belief, and bestow us, our Ma'shaykh, and our families with eternal love for our Master Muhammad through the blessings of this poem.

Ameen.

Part One

In Love of Our Leader, the Messenger of Allah

1.Is it because of your remembrance of the neighbors of Dhi-salam

2.that tears mixed with blood flow?

3.Or is it because of the breeze that blows from Kaazimah?

4.Or, is it because of the flashes of lightning in the darkness of the night at Idam?

5.What has happened to your eyes? You tell them to cease, but the more they continue to flow.

6.What is the matter with your heart? You tell it to come to its senses,

7.does the lover think that his love can be concealed

8.while his eyes shed tears and his heart glows.

9.Had it not been for love, you would not have shed tears at the ruins (of the City of your beloved).

10. Nor would you become restless at the remembrance of the cypress (tree), the high mountain.

11. How do you deny love after the testimony,

12. borne against you by (such) reliable witnesses as yours and your illness.

13. Love has ingrained two lines of fear, and withered your face,

14. on your cheeks like a yellow rose and the reddish tree.

15. Yes! thoughts of the beloved came to me at night and kept me awake,

16. and love transforms pleasure into pain.

17. You who reproach me, regarding my love, excuse me,

18. from me to you, if you are just, you would not reproach me.

19. My state (of love) has been expressed to you, my secret is no longer concealed

20. from those who malign (me); nor is there (anything to) check my agony.

21. You have advised me sincerely; I did not heed it,

22. for in truth, a lover is deaf to his advisors.

23. I regarded with suspicion the advice of reproachful elders,

24. (wisdom) in the advice of the elders is above suspicion.

Part Two

Restraint of Lust and Carnal Desires

1.In truth, my soul is laden with evil and did not heed the advice,

2.on account of its ignorance, from the warning of grey hair and old age.

3.And I have not prepared, for good deeds, a feast,

4.neither for the guest (that) has lodged in (my) head, nor yet did I honor (him).

5.Had I known that I would not be able to honor him,

6.I would have concealed my secret, which is exposed by dieing.

7.Who is there that can restrain my wayward-self from its waywardness?

8.Just as unmanageable horses are restrained by reigns.

9.Do not try, through sinning, to subdue sensual desires,

10. for in truth, food only increases sensual desires.

11. Your self (desire) is like when it is breastfed,

12. it loves to suckle, yet, when it is weaned it stops.

13. Then stop its inclinations and beware that it does not overpower you.

28. just as a rose is distinguished by (characteristic) marks of a thorn.

29. The winds of help (from Allah) would guide you to their fragrance,

30. so you would think every brave man was a flower in the bloom.

31. As though they were, when on horse back, like sturdy shrubs on hills,

32. because of their strength and bravery, not because of fixation to their saddles.

33. The hearts of the enemies sank in terror (due to their) prowess,

34. they could not distinguish between a lamb and a mighty warrior.

35. He who has the help of the Messenger of Allah with him -

36. even if a lion should meet him in its den, it becomes fearful,

37. and you would never see a friend unassisted

38. by him, nor yet would you find an enemy, except in pieces.

39. He lodged his nation in the fort of his religion,

40. like a lion that lodges with its cubs in a jungle.

41. How many questions did the Words of Allah have with the defiant

42. concerning him; and the clear evidence (of Allah) disputed many a plaintiff.

43. It suffices as a miracle for you that an unlettered person should have (such vast) knowledge,

44. in an era of ignorance, and such noble etiquette in an orphan.

Part Nine

The Forgiveness of Allah through the Intercession of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad

1.I served him with praise, by whose means I ask for pardon.

2.The sins of a lifetime passed in poetry and serving (others),

3.these two have garland me with consequences that I fear

4.even so it (poetry and serving others) is my due; a sacrificial animal.

5.I obeyed the misleading passions of youth in both conditions and

6.achieved nothing except sin and remorse,

7.and through their doing it is the greatest regret of my soul.

8.It did not purchase (religion for livelihood) with the world, nor did I barter for it.

9.The person who sells his future for his present.

10. is defrauded in its sale and its bartering.

11. If I committed any sin, my covenant is not (likely to be) violated

12. with my Prophet, the Messenger of Allah and nor is my rope broken,

13. for in truth, I have a security from him because of my name

14. (it being) Muhammad, while he is the most faithful of mankind in fulfilment of his promise.

15. If at my resurrection, he should not take me by my hand

16. through kindness, then say, “O, the slipping of my foot”,

17. I seek refuge (in Allah) that He should deprive one who is hopeful of his favors.

18. Or that his neighbor (follower) returned from him dishonored.

19. And since I have devoted my thoughts to his praising

20. I have found him to be best refuge for my salvation.

21. His bounty will never escape from (my) hand that has been soiled.

22. For in truth, rain causes flowers to bloom on rocks

23. and I sought the flowers (wealth) of the world which were plucked.

24. by the hands of Zuhair through his praises of Haram.

Part Ten

Seeking Salvation and the Requisition of Necessities

1.Most generous of mankind, I have no one with whom to seek refuge

2.except you at the occurrence of widespread disasters.

3.And, O Messenger of Allah ,your exalted status will not diminish, because of me (intercession on my behalf).

4.When the Most Bountiful will manifest (Himself) by the name of the punisher.

5.For in truth, amongst your bounties is this life, and the Everlasting Life,

6.and part of your knowledge is the knowledge of the Preserved Tablet (Lowh), and the Pen.

7.My soul, do not become despondent because of your grievous sins,

8.indeed, major sins, when pardoned are minor.

9.Perhaps when the mercy of my Lord is distributed

10. it would be distributed proportionate to the sins.

11. My Lord (Sustainer)! Do not let my hopes remain unfulfilled

12. by You, and do not make my reckoning (of deeds) destructive.

13. Be kind to Your worshipper in both the worlds, for in truth, his

14. patience, when called upon by hardship runs away.

15. So order clouds of blessings from You perpetually

16. upon our Prophet ,abundantly and gently,

17. and upon his family, his companions, then upon those who follow them.

18. The people of piety, knowledge, clemency and generosity.

19. Be pleased with Abu-Bakr and Omar,

20. Ali and Othman; those of nobility,

21. for as long as the easterly breeze makes the branches of the cypress tree rustle,

22. and (as long as) the camel riders encourage their camels to run with enchanting songs.

23. Forgive its writer and its reader.

24. I ask of You all goodness, O You, the Most Generous and Most Munificent .

We ask Allah, the Mighty, the Gloried to accept this effort and grant abundant reward to Imam Salih Shara-fud-deen Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Hasan Al-Busari for its composition and all who assisted in its English production. May Allah make this a means granting us true love for His Beloved Prophet and bless us with His Divine Love and Nearness.

A full moon rises over us
The other moon disappears
We never saw the like of your beauty
O face of gladness
You are the sun, you are the moon
You are light upon lights
You are gold and even more priceless
You are the light of hearts
O my beloved, O Muhammad
O star of east and west
O supporter, O praised one
O leader of both Qiblas
Whoever sees your face, gets happiness
O the kind one to both parents
Your clear and cool fountain
Is our goal on the Day of Reckoning